Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Hamlet Blu-ray Movie Review

"A little more than kin, and less than kind."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown April 29, 2010

Reinvented, deconstructed, reimagined, dissected, reassembled, reinterpreted, and reborn anew, William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" has been subjected to countless reincarnations; some brilliant, some misguided, some intriguing, some terribly mediocre. Several years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a fascinating Shakespeare Theatre Company production in which the prince of Denmark was simultaneously portrayed by five different actors. Soliloquies were transformed into heated arguments between Hamlet's splintering personas, his despondency and emotional turmoil became a war of wills, and his tireless bouts with insanity became a stage play all their own, hidden from the likes of Claudius and Gertrude, but apparent to the prince's captivated audience. Unfortunately, I had the distinct displeasure of attending the dull, dim-witted adaptation of a small, local company that same year; one in which Hamlet was inexplicably reconceived as a Quixote-esque old man struggling with senility in communist Russia. It was... let's just say bizarre, and leave it at that. Thankfully, the Royal Shakespeare Company's Hamlet, the 2008 play turned 2009 BBC television film turned 2010 Blu-ray release, is more akin to the former than the latter. Though a decidedly traditional production, its performances, modern sets and costume designs, and clever depictions of Shakespeare's characters help it stand out from the crowd.

"A fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times."

I think it's safe to assume most everyone knows the basic premise of Hamlet -- even those who simply skimmed through Shakespeare's text in order to pass an exam -- so I'll forgo any lengthy synopsis. In Greg Doran and the Royal Shakespeare Company's production, Doctor Who's David Tennant steps into the slippery shoes of the paranoid prince, RSC regular Penny Downie plays his at-times oblivious mother, Peter de Jersey lends gravitas to a very befuddled Horatio, Oliver Ford Davies waxes and wanes appropriately as Polonius, award-winning actress Mariah Gale offers a sweet and affecting witlessness to Ophelia, and veteran stage and screen star Patrick Stewart sinks his teeth into the roles of Claudius and the ghost of Hamlet's father. The whole of the cast is exceptional and it's clear from the outset that their approach to each character is thoughtful, meticulously researched, and well-rehearsed. Hamlet's madness isn't ambiguous. Tennant's prince is slowly but surely cracking at the seams, unspooling before our very eyes. Claudius isn't an impulsive villain, but rather a cold and calculating mastermind who steadily loses control of an increasingly complex situation. Gertrude isn't a helpless matriarch, by any means, nor a doting bride. She's as baffled by her son's behavior and as taken by his accusations as the rest of the court, yet seems all too willing to wrap herself in a delusion she knows to be a lie. The remaining characters are more familiar, but no less gripping. After all, not every drop of Shakespeare's pen invites reinvention. The best adaptations are those that know when to leave well enough alone.

To his great credit, Doran doesn't grossly modernize his production, nor does he insert errant elements that undermine the narrative or its well-establish themes. Mirrors and reflective surfaces are given crucial roles, as are shattered glass and retreating shadows, but it never feels as if the director is cramming his own haphazard vision down Shakespeare's throat. His manipulation of the text is exceedingly fair and judicious, and his utter respect for the integrity of each character is apparent throughout. He cuts lines carefully, alters scenes purposefully, bends and stretches his protagonists and antagonists smartly, and withdraws his best ideas from the tale rather than forcing them upon it. His cast and crew do the same, experimenting in Shakespeare's sandbox without resorting to gimmickry or cheap theatrics. The performances are fresh and unpredictable, exuding welcome energy and spirit at every turn; the costumes, though a tad jarring at times (Hamlet's third-act muscle shirt still doesn't sit very well with me), evolve as the intense tragedy nears its inevitable conclusion; the black-lacquer sets are expertly crafted and wonderfully dressed; Doran's earthy outdoor locales perfectly contrast his team's oppressive interiors; and the director's blocking and framing, particularly his intimate closeups, loose Hamlet from the stage and allows it to prove its worth as a film.

That's not to say there's nothing rotten in the state of Denmark. As intelligent and mesmerizing as Tennant's performance may be, his wide-eyed antics sometimes stumble across the fine line between manic and cartoonish, evoking the good Doctor too often for the actor's own good. (Mel Gibson's tortured Dane, for better or worse, has long stood in my mind as cinema's consummate Hamlet.) Likewise, Stewart makes a series of brave, provocative choices -- many of which have a profound effect on his characters -- but sometimes neglects to imbue these character beats with proper on-screen presence. When Claudius illuminates Hamlet with a lantern, Stewart quickly turns away without allowing the tension to linger. When the king shrugs before taking a drink of his chalice, it seems comical rather than resigned. A similarly skewed tone also dominates Hamlet's climactic battle with Laertes, a pantomimed sword fight if there ever was one. Whether you chalk up the scene's stilted shortcomings to a cramped and crowded set, chaotic pacing, or awkward blocking, the result is the same: a sequence that lacks the intensity and dramatic weight of other Hamlets. Are these debilitating problems? Absolutely not. For every complaint that graced my brain while watching Hamlet unfold, a hundred compliments materialized. Suffice to say, the Royal Shakespeare Company's production should appeal to anyone with affection for the Bard's foremost tragedy.

Hamlet Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Filmed with Red One digital cameras, Hamlet features a sharp and proficient 1080i/AVC-encoded transfer that's cleaner, more stable, and more reliable than our dear, mad prince of Denmark. Color and clarity are impressive, black levels are bold and engrossing, and fine textures are crisp and refined. Granted, Chris Seager's photography is often as bleak and sobering as the slowburn chaos that unfolds, but the Royal Shakespeare Company's television production is striking from beginning to end. Note the tangled hairs sprouting from the Ghost's beard, the wild stubble that slowly creeps across Hamlet's chin as he succumbs to paranoia, the weathered brick and mortar that lends distant buildings character, and the crumbling soil caked on Yorick's skull. Intricate or simplistic, every nick and stitch in the RSC's elaborate sets and costumes have been preserved and rendered for all to see. The technical image is just as satisfying. Yes, the presentation boasts a hyper-sharp digital sheen -- a trait some filmfans find to be unattractive -- and yes, minor source noise, crush, and aliasing appear from time to time, but I didn't encounter any significant artifacting, smearing, banding, or notable distractions. All things considered, Hamlet's video presentation is an effective one.

Hamlet Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Just don't expect to be enveloped by Stewart's ghostly whispers or Tennant's mad-hatter chatter. Sadly, Hamlet includes just one audio track: a fit but flat LPCM stereo mix that leaves Doran's production firmly planted on the stage. Not that any of it is particularly underwhelming -- dialogue is distinct, well-grounded, and perfectly prioritized throughout, sound effects are steady and clear, and Paul Englishby's understated score is given its just due -- but the lack of LFE support, rear speaker activity, and proper acoustics all limit the impact of the film. I would have loved to hear Tennant's cries echoing across an immersive soundfield; to be dropped in the middle of Hamlet's sword fight with Laertes; to feel the hair on my neck bristle as the prince's soliloquies haunt his home's empty halls. Again, the LPCM track is more than adequate, able-bodied even (for a stereo mix). It just doesn't pack the lossless 5.1 oomph I was hoping for.

Hamlet Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Blu-ray edition of Hamlet arrives with a rewarding supplemental package that provides an extensive overview of both the stage and screen versions of the Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation. First up is an incredibly informative audio commentary with RSC chief-associate director and filmmaker Greg Doran, director of photography Chris Seager, and co-producer Seth Grant. The trio not only dissect each choice and change they made while honing their latest vision of Shakespeare's famed tragedy, they devote ample time to discussing the performances, set and costume designs, blocking and framing, cuts and additions, and key aspects of their interpretation of several characters, events, and dramatic encounters. Candid and revealing from beginning to end, Doran's track will prove to be a boon for fans, especially those who enjoy their Shakespeare with a side of finely tuned analysis. A surprisingly lengthy, rather captivating "Behind the Scenes" documentary (SD, 32 minutes) is also included. While some portions are a bit redundant (at least for those who've already plowed through the disc's three-hour commentary), the doc's countless cast and crew interviews, candid behind-the-scenes footage, and thought-provoking analysis of the Bard's text and the RSC's stage and screen adaptations make it well worth watching. Finally, a short promo for the RSC (SD, 3 minutes) rounds out the package.

Hamlet Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Royal Shakespeare Company's well-conceived (albeit largely traditional) production of the Bard's foremost tragedy is bolstered by several outstanding performances, many of which allow Greg Doran's Hamlet to strike a more resonant chord than other contemporary adaptations of the play. Still, its particular sensibilities are more suited to the stage than the screen, and the film occasionally suffers as a result. Thankfully, BBC Video's Blu-ray release is worth buying, especially considering the disc's low pricepoint. Its video transfer is remarkably sharp and satisfying, its LPCM audio track does a fine job handling everything its given (at least for a stereo mix), and its generous supplemental package includes an engaging three-hour commentary and a 30-minute behind-the-scenes documentary. The RSC's television film may not be the definitive production of Shakespeare's best-known tragedy, but it will please its fair share of cinephiles and literature hounds.